The Monocle Daily

We discuss the week in Washington as Donald Trump’s approval rating continues to sink over the economy and immigration. Then: we get the latest news from the Gulf and we meet Juliana Ghiotto, CEO and co-founder of the Barracuda hotel group.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Caracas condemns the US's seizure of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. We discuss how this might escalate. Then: Washington suggests tourists could be asked to prove social media history upon entry. Plus: ‘Time Magazine’ names its Person of the Year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Europe’s far-right parties split over whether backing from Trump gives them legitimacy. Then: The Gulf states look to invest in Hollywood as they back Paramount Skydance’s hostile bid for Warner Brothers Discovery. Plus: Sarkozy’s prison memoir is published. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukraine prepares to show a revised peace plan to the US – what will Donald Trump make of it? Then: France's Lecornu faces a crucial social-security vote. Plus: We speak with A House of Dynamite screenwriter Noah Oppenheim.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The response from the coalition of the willing summit to the ongoing US push for Kyiv to accept concessions and we look at Syria circa the first anniversary of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad fleeing Damascus.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the world reflects on Pope Leo XIV’s first trip to Turkey and Lebanon, Andrew Mueller and Juliet Linley give us their two cents. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A bipartisan resolution to block US military action against Venezuela without congressional approval and calls for an investigation into self-proclaimed “secretary of war” Pete Hegseth roil US Congress. Then: the latest from presidents Xi Jinping and Emmanuel Macron’s meeting. And: will an afternoon tipple boost Thai tourism?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nato foreign ministers meet in Brussels following a US-Russia summit in Moscow. Then: we look ahead to Australia’s teen social-media ban. Plus: the campaign to bring back doors in hotel-room bathrooms.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Washington's delegation arrives in Moscow, we discuss how close we are to peace in Ukraine. Then: India begins testing long-range missiles – why is China so interested? Plus: Denmark prepares to cancel Christmas cards.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest as Trump ramps up pressure on Nicolás Maduro’s Venezuela. Then: as Pope Leo continues his tour of the Middle East, we discuss how much sway he has in the region. Plus: Switzerland rejects a wealth tax on the super-rich.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the UN’s new report on megacities, Louvre’s price rise for non-EU nationals and Brazil’s telenovelas expansion. Plus: Mina al-Oraibi, editor in chief of The National.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our guests Elisabeth Braw and Nina dos Santos unpack Emmanuel Macron’s decision to relaunch a limited military service in France. Plus: Pope Leo’s first overseas trip and how the housing crisis relates to a rise in populism.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Washington continues to take the lead on a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, where is Europe in all of this? Then: Trump asks his loyal supporter and Paramount Skydance’s largest shareholder, Larry Ellison, to revive ‘Rush Hour’. Plus: Sweden encourages its visitors to be bored.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We unpack the latest on the Ukraine peace deal, as Washington scrambles to meet Moscow’s delegates in Abu Dhabi. Then: We unpack whether it's possible for Iran to have a soft-power makeover. Plus: Should airlines enforce dress codes?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US and Ukrainian delegations meet in Geneva to talk peace; Israel targets Hezbollah’s chief of staff; the G20 wraps up; and Saudi Arabia quietly allows alcohol sales for expats. Plus: Julia Ioffe on her new book, ‘Motherland’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss what’s next for the Middle East after a Unifil report tallies up Israel’s continued violations of a ceasefire agreement and as the US pressures Beirut to disarm Hezbollah. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Volodymyr Zelensky prepares to meet with a US army delegation in Kyiv after American and Russian officials draft a plan to end the war.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reports emerge that the Trump administration has been secretly co-ordinating with Moscow on a new plan to end the war in Ukraine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How watertight is Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza and why are international students turning away from the US?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump has urged his fellow Republicans to vote for the release of the files on the basis that “we have nothing to hide”. How will this U-Turn pan out? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We take a look at a week in politics in Washington from a government shutdown to threats against the BBC. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kenya says more than 200 of its nationals have joined Russian forces. We ask why Russia has its eyes on Africa.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What next for Volodymyr Zelensky as Ukraine is shaken by one of the biggest wartime corruption scandals since Russia’s invasion three years ago.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Gaza ceasefire might be in place but what are the actual long-term solutions to conflict in the Middle East? Panellists Yossi Mekelberg and Julie Norman consider the viable options and whether Gaza will have to be split in two.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Syria’s leader heads to the White House for a landmark meeting and Iraqis prepare to go to the polls, we discuss how dramatically regional dynamics have changed in the Middle East.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monocle Radio’s Tom Webb brings us stories and interviews with tourism ministers at the World Travel Market in London this week. Plus: A review of US politics and Syria with Tara Kangarlou; and Dubai Design Week with Nic Monisse.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our panel assess reports that US action against the Bolivarian republic might be imminent after all, possibly against targets believed or alleged to be associated with Venezuela’s drugs cartels.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US president demands a vote change after Democrats claim sweeping victories. Plus: Babiš and the Czech coalition deal, AI bubble trouble and can a cheese-fire deal be reached between Switzerland and its neighbours?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the life and legacy of former US vice-president Dick Cheney. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our panel discusses whether Syrians should be returned home or if Germany’s foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, has a point. Plus: Dr Nicholas Wright on the psychology of warfare.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.